7-06-2024 9:46pm

Beacon Hill Roll Call

Alan Earls Editor

If you have any questions about this week's report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at (617) 720-1562.

Volume 49 - Report No. 27

July 1-5, 2024

By Bob Katzen

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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on recent roll calls from the week of June 24-28. There were nor oll callsw in the House or Senate last week.

CLEAN FUEL STANDARDS (S 2829)

Senate 1-39, rejected an amendment that would force transportation fuel providers to comply with new clean fuel standards set by the Department of Energy Resources. The amendment would create a credit system to penalize providers who do not meet those standards. Collected credits from public entities will be used to fund projects aimed at clean energy and transportation projects that disadvantaged communities need.

“This amendment was a measure that would have had a drastic impact on reducing emissions while also creating a benefit for local transportation infrastructure in the communities that need it most,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mark Pacheco (D-Taunton).

Amendment opponents offered no arguments during floor debate. Sen. Mike Barrett (D-Lexington), a lead sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his opposition to this amendment.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against the amendment.)

Sen. Rebecca Rausch No Sen. Karen Spilka No

OFFSHORE WIND (S 2829)

Senate 2-38, rejected an amendment that would give the governor’s executive branch the right to procure offshore wind projects without the need to go through the Legislature.

“This amendment would provide the Executive Branch with more flexibility and would eliminate the necessity of having to seek the Legislature's approval for how much megawattage they are able to procure from clean energy projects,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton). “The Healey-Driscoll Administration should be able to go out and solicit multiple forms of clean energy at the same time, as long as they are moving toward meeting the overall emissions requirements by 2050."

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against the amendment.)

Sen. Rebecca Rausch No Sen. Karen Spilka No

FLOOD RISK (S 2829)

Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would require the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to review existing flood risk mapping resources in the state and assess the need for and feasibility of creating additional flood risk mapping resources to identify areas vulnerable to current and future flooding across the state.

“Ignoring the long-term effects of climate change on our vulnerable communities while continuing to rely on traditional approaches like insurance and federal assistance is inadequate and inequitable,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton). “As damages from flooding become more frequent and costly, and our traditional options for addressing these issues become inadequate, we need a novel and equitable way to protect and relocate people and property.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.)

Sen. Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen Spilka President rarely votes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

ALLOW VIRTUAL MEETINGS OF CONDO ASSOCIATIONS (H 1338)- The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would allow condominium assocation boards to hold meetings virtually and vote on issues electronically.

“This bill will allow for more participation in condo associations,” said sponsor Rep. Kevin Honan (D-Boston). “It provides convenience for all involved in the maintenance and care of their condos.”

FIRE CHIEF MUST BE A FORMER FIREFIGHTER (H 2347) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would require that any candidates for appointment to the position of Fire Chief, Fire Commissioner or head of a fire department in any city or town, must have been a uniformed member of the Massachusetts firefighting force of a Massachusetts Fire Department for a minimum of five years.

Supporters said this would ensure that anyone appointed to one of these high positions has some hands-on experience as a firefighter and has come up through the ranks.

Rep. Dan Hunt (D-Boston), the sponsor of the measure, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his bill and its passage.

ALLOW ELECTRONIC RECEIPT FOR DELIVERY OF FUEL OILS AND PROPANE (H 4132) – The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would allow companies to send customers an electronic delivery receipt for the bulk sale of fuel oils and propane.

“Massachusetts is one of the last states to update this antiquated system of delivery of receipts/invoices from bulk sales,” said sponsor Rep. Jeff Roy (D-Franklin). “In today’s world of technology, it only makes sense that the delivery of receipts/invoices can be safely and efficiently transmitted to the consumer without having to leave a paper bill at the door or mailbox. Many if not most businesses already operate this way and there is no good reason not to advance bulk sales in this direction as well particularly as the consumer would have a choice in the method of delivery.”

Supporters also noted that customers frequently complain about the current practice of the company leaving bags with receipts on their doorknobs or in their mailboxes. They said leaving the receipts in a USPS mailbox is not permitted by law and also leaves consumers vulnerable to identity fraud. They also pointed out that leaving a plastic bag which might remain on the doorknob for several days is a clear signal to would-be criminals that the homeowner is not home and might be traveling.

HOSPITAL HELIPADS (H 2400) – The House gave initial approval to a bill that would ban non-emergency aircraft from practicing training maneuvers, including simulated landings, practice approaches, turns about a point and power off turns, within a two nautical mile vicinity of a hospital with a helipad. Aircraft would be allowed to fly directly over the helipad as long as they are not performing these maneuvers and are flying at an altitude of over 2,000 feet.

“As a representative from a district with a hospital that operates a helipad, I filed this bill after much input from the public,” said sponsor Rep. Dan Sena (D-Acton). “I heard from constituents that recreational aircraft often utilized the helipad for training flights and maneuvers that were completely unrelated to the operation of the hospital, which had a significant impact on those in the area. This bill is designed to ensure that hospital helipads are kept open and safe to ensure they are always prepared for an emergency and free of interference.”

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“These projects are a direct result of the governor’s tax relief bill. Our vacancy rate is at an all-time low, and these awards will create much needed multi-family housing across our state.”

---Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus announcing $27 million in Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) awards to create 547 total new units in 11 Gateway Cities across the Bay State.

“Access to affordable, high-quality early education and child care is essential. By actively engaging with the needs and challenges of families and providers, we can develop transformative policies that empower our workforce, drive economic growth and ensure a brighter future for our children. Together, we will create an early education system that benefits every resident of Massachusetts.”

--- Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao announcing the Healey Administration will be holding a series of listening sessions across the state in July and August to inform the Early Education and Child Care Task Force’s recommendations and broader strategy to ensure accessible and affordable high-quality childcare for all families. For a list of locations and dates and/or to register to attend these sessions or provide input go to: Mass.gov/ChildCareTaskForce

“Once again, Massachusetts taxes punish success. While there is only one NBA Championship team, there are many businesses and high-income earners making the same decision as the owner of the Celtics. If Massachusetts ever wants to be economically competitive again, it must eliminate the income surtax and estate tax. These two taxes punish success and today is another great example of its economic harm.”

---Paul Craney, spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, reacting to news reports that Wye Grousbeck announced that he will be selling his majority interest in the Boston Celtics for “estate and family planning considerations.”

“Almost seven out of ten Massachusetts students are eating school lunch, which means over half a million students are getting nutritious meals. We were proud to make universal free school meals permanent with the Legislature, and the combination of state and federal funding means that breakfasts and lunches are available to all students to help them stay healthy and succeed in school.”

---Gov. Maura Healey releasing data from the first year of state-funded universal free school meals, showing major increases in student participation compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.

HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION?

Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Sena er matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session.

During the week July 1-5. the House met for a total of 27 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 15 minutes.

Mon. July 1 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:13 a.m.

Senate 11:12 a.m. to 11:18 a.m.

Tues. July 2 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:06 a.m.

No Senate session

Wed. July 3 House 11:03 a.m. to 11:11 a.m.

Senate 11:03 a.m. to 11:12 a.m.

Thurs. July 4 No House session

No Senate session

Fri. July 5 No House session

No Senate session

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com